The Geomorphodiversity of the Dolomites (Italy): A Key of Geoheritage Assessment

Abstract

The term geodiversity is presented and critically examined. A summary of the concepts and definitions of this term is given, underlining the various approaches; in general, geodiversity is defined as a set of different “geological” elements over a certain area. A new approach is proposed, based on the identification of the “geological” elements, which mostly characterise the landscape features of a given territory, independently of their frequency and spatial distribution, but on the basis of type, scale and level of a new concept of geodiversity. With respect to Geomorphology, geodiversity may be defined with the term geomorphodiversity: “the critical and specific assessment of the geomorphological features of a territory, by comparing them in an extrinsic and in intrinsic way, taking into account the scale of investigation, the purpose of the research and the level of scientific quality”. The same concepts and methods can be experimented for other branches of the Earth Sciences; therefore, the same definition can be extended to the more general concept of diversity, by substituting the term “geomorphological” with the term “geological”. The peculiarities of the geomorphodiversity are shown, with particular reference to the Dolomites. First of all, they have specific geomorphological and landscape characteristics which distinguish them from all other mountains in the world, i.e. they have greatly accentuated extrinsic geomorphodiversity on a global scale. On a regional scale and in relation to morphostructural landforms, the Dolomites have a high degree of extrinsic geomorphodiversity compared with other alpine mountains in relation to morphotectodynamics, morphotectostatics and morpholithology. They also have greatly accentuated intrinsic geomorphodiversity on a regional scale from the morphoclimatic viewpoint, considering their polygenesis linked to pre- or inter-glacial, glacial, periglacial, fluvial, relict, dormant or active landforms. Nevertheless, when some geomorphological features, chosen with a subjective criterion, are examined in detail on a regional scale (for example talus cones or scree slopes), they show a limited intrinsic geomorphodiversity; whereas in other cases (as for landslides) they have a great intrinsic geomorphodiversity. Another example is offered by karst areas; they display in detail a vast array of landforms, that is considerable intrinsic geomorphodiversity on a local scale. In conclusion, the Dolomites make up an important geoheritage that can be considered as a high-altitude field laboratory for research and development of geomorphological theories and understanding.